To ask how DH should answer this?

[TinaTeaspoons]

DH has 2 autoimmune conditions, UC and RA.
Got made redundant a year ago from a job he loved. Decided as a couple that temping might be a good idea. He was upfront about his conditions from the start and has been a model employee. Despite finding out that others were being paid more etc.
Anyway his usual shifts got cancelled this week. He was asked to travel to a destination in a much more awkward and far away place. He is able to get a lift from me normally at his usual place but can't for the others and the bus service is once an hour or if going to the other place, over an hour.
DH said he was sorry but that he was struggling with his RA quite a lot and needed somewhere closer to home. The reply was 'D, when signing up to the agency you have to be prepared to travel. If you are not prepared to make the effort to go here then I'm afraid we will have to rethink your position.'
Aibu to ask how to respond DH is upset as always been very reliable, had no complaints made against him and never cancels his shifts unlike the vast majority of other staff.

I think they're just trying to pressure him to do the job at the difficult location so that they get their cut and keep the employer sweet. I doubt that they would really let him go, as they need good temp workers. He should just apologise and explain it's not about making the effort but about his health making it too difficult.

been very reliable, had no complaints made against him and never cancels his shifts unlike the vast majority of other staff

So call their bluff then. If he is these things when others are not they won’t be rethinking anything. They are just playing hardball.

Time to sign up with another agency.

Highly likely that lots of others have been asked but refused

for example these companies charge £25 an hour for your husband to the business and pay him a fraction of that so believe me they’ll want him to stay on

I agree. He needs to say no and be prepared to go to another agency. If they want their money they need to find him work.

The thing about temping is that you can’t necessarily dictate what you get offered, so if transport is an issue for him then it might be better to look for a permanent position in a location that works for him.

As to how to respond, I think he just needs to say ‘I’m sorry I can’t take shifts that are in X or Y location, due to my health issues. It’s not about not making an effort - I think my track record with the agency has been great and I’m always happy to work in Z location. If you can’t offer me those shifts any more then I’ll sign up elsewhere.’

The advantage of agency work is being able to choose your shifts. He doesn't need to justify his decision.

I've done agency work and just didn't accept work that I didn't want to do. Sure they put pressure on me to do it but I just said no.

My company uses agency staff and we are really struggling to get staff, let alone decent staff. No one wants to do it for the money - I don’t blame them at all!
So in my experience I’d be calling their bluff and saying he cannot work in the location/needs to work closer otherwise he will look elsewhere.

Agencies like quoting the contract to pressurise you into accepting shifts. I once had one call me after working 5 x 12 HR shifts every week for 3 years, because they couldn't find anyone else to cover. When I said no, I already work full time and need a day off they said 'But your contract says you have to be available to work'. I said yes, it also says I can decline shifts If I want to. Goodbye...

Not sure the answer for you or if this is disability discrimination but they do take the piss out of good workers sometimes and try to dump even more on you to save themselves having to phone around for another person.

Thanks all, have been showing him the replies and we are going to use the example given.
DH has been brilliant. Despite his health issues, he has gone to his shifts and never cancelled, done a no show or anything like that. Most of the other workers do.
We do understand that he can't always have his usual place to go to but when the other locations are too far or difficult to get to then it's just not going to happen. Especially as he has his RA in particular to contend with.
I do think he should call their bluff. I also think he can confidently state this is disability discrimination.

He has never actually signed a contract stating he must do the above so there's that also.
The agency is very pushy and send a lot of threatening messages. After this we are definitely looking for other options but know it can take time to find a new role. I also feel it's important for DH to stand up for himself here.

Um if he’s agency how can he push his luck? Isn’t it basically a zero hours contract?

The thing about temping is that you can absolutely dictate which offers you accept.

And what do you mean “we are looking for other options” does he have additional mental health or learning needs that means he is not able to do it as a solo, as is the norm ?

'Oh, would you be able to confirm that in writing, please? I'll need to show the disability advisor at the job centre that you're not giving me shifts as a direct result of my declared disabilities. Oh, and whilst we're at it, they've said they'd like to know the reason for me being paid a lower hourly rate than the non disabled staff'

I hope your DH is accessing consultant led care for his conditions, rather than trying to slog on without medication, though.

I'm not sure I understand @Frankensteinisamonster about pushing his luck?
It is a zero hour contract yes.
I mean we are either looking at other agencies or him going into a work from home role if possible.

The thing about temping is that you can absolutely dictate which offers you accept.

Oh absolutely agree. I think though that OP and her DH are getting confused about the employer relationship - they can’t force you (you decline shifts you don’t work) but equally they’re not obliged to offer you the shifts that are convenient. I’m not sure it’s disability discrimination - happy to be corrected by someone more in the know but I’m not sure in a temping contract, which is no obligation to work/offer on either side how it could be discriminatory.

The main benefit to temping is declining shifts you don’t want. That can work well for someone with health issues to prioritise- but only if they do confidently decline what doesn’t suit. Otherwise a permanent job with more protections in terms of days/location/adjustments would be better.

That’s not going to work. Get a grip. He’s agency staff. What are the Job centre going to do, cmon, get real . You’re writing that like they will remotely give a shit about rhe twats down the job centre.

DH is on medication, heavy stuff. It means he can now walk (he couldn't before without severe pain ) but he still struggles at times especially now the colder weather has began to show.

This agency asks for one shift a week but DH never signed anything and obviously it has to be a reasonable request as in travelling distances etc. I think they are on shaky ground personally because DH has never signed anything agreeing to do this and it is a zero hour contract at the end of the day.

Even zhc workers have a legal right not to be discriminated against for their disabilities.

Phrasing it like that reminds the agency that they have legal obligations that they are in breach of without actually saying 'you're ableist arseholes breaking the law and it would be very satisfying if you're stupid enough to confirm your position in writing, as it won't be going to the job centre, it'll be going to your CEO via social media'

I know why you are suggesting it and I am fully aware of the rights.

but that’s a lengthy tribunal for what is a zero hour contract, and they don’t care about the job centre folks. Who would.